Storing a book in muitiple languages

tyrfing · 12-02-2025, 12:03 PM

I think this is the proper sub-forum for this, please let me know if it isn't.

I have a few books that have come to me in multiple languages, e.g. I have the English and Italian PDF files.

Is there some method to store them as the same book? Normally I think that only works if they are in different formats?

Or does that interfere with the "language" metadata tags and I should store them as separate entries so I can tag them so?

theducks · 12-02-2025, 01:06 PM

I believe the Calibre (2 letter expansion) language tag will keep them separate
on import.
What will not import properly is regional: eg en-US and en-GB.

What is better is to create an Empty book with the proper (allowed entries) and DROP the format into the formats box

I add (US) or (UK) to the title as the language field in the MDE only allows 'English'

Quoth · 12-02-2025, 01:43 PM

They are better stored as separate books. They are not the same book.

BetterRed · 12-02-2025, 04:25 PM

I store foreign language (for me that's non-English) editions in the book's data folder, with a link to it in a custom long text column (#links/Links).

I used to store foreign language editions as separate books linked via calibre:// book-details and view-book URLs but that adds a layer of complexity I don't need. Ditto alternate translations.

BR

12-02-2025, 12:03 PM	#1
tyrfing Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2025 Device: iPad, Samsung S24	Storing a book in muitiple languages I think this is the proper sub-forum for this, please let me know if it isn't. I have a few books that have come to me in multiple languages, e.g. I have the English and Italian PDF files. Is there some method to store them as the same book? Normally I think that only works if they are in different formats? Or does that interfere with the "language" metadata tags and I should store them as separate entries so I can tag them so?

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12-02-2025, 01:06 PM	#2
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,337 Karma: 62025226 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	I believe the Calibre (2 letter expansion) language tag will keep them separate on import. What will not import properly is regional: eg en-US and en-GB. What is better is to create an Empty book with the proper (allowed entries) and DROP the format into the formats box I add (US) or (UK) to the title as the language field in the MDE only allows 'English'

12-02-2025, 01:43 PM	#3
Quoth Still reading Posts: 15,196 Karma: 111120239 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	They are better stored as separate books. They are not the same book.

12-02-2025, 04:25 PM	#4
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 22,050 Karma: 30277960 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	I store foreign language (for me that's non-English) editions in the book's data folder, with a link to it in a custom long text column (#links/Links). I used to store foreign language editions as separate books linked via calibre:// book-details and view-book URLs but that adds a layer of complexity I don't need. Ditto alternate translations. BR